Two teams with slow starts to the new MLS season meet in the Eastern Conference on Saturday with both Chicago Fire and Inter Miami needing the points (6pm ET; TV: Live on TUDN, UniMas). For Phil Neville’s Inter, a mid-table slot after five matches does, at least, give them a platform to move forward.
In contrast, it has been something of a horror show for Chicago Fire who have taken just one point from their opening five. While it may not be the standout tie of round six, those slow beginnings have left an interesting moneyline market and we think there could be value in this crucial fixture.
Chicago vs Miami Moneyline Odds
All three possible outcomes in the moneyline market head above the +100 line with Chicago Fire the early favorites at an industry best of +150. A win for Inter Miami is just behind at a general +175 while most sportsbooks have the draw available at +250.
Miami may be the outsiders but they edge the form guide with two wins, two draws and a solitary defeat from their last five matches. Coach Neville will be particularly pleased with the form of key striker Gonzalo Higuain who scored twice as Inter beat Cincinnati 3-2 last time out.
It has been a different story for the Fire who have lost four straight games after drawing with New England on the opening day. They have the capacity to improve but do Raphael Wicky’s men really deserve to be favorites based on that horrendous run of form?
Prop Markets
We’re edging away from the home win and one of the men who could seal a positive afternoon for Inter Miami is Gonzalo Higuain. The experienced Argentine international had a difficult start to MLS life in 2020 but the striker has now scored four goals in his opening five matches of the new campaign.
Gonzalo Higuain will be a popular pick in the first goalscorer markets and the former Real Madrid man is quoted at +500 to open the scoring.
The man with the shortest price from a Chicago Fire perspective is Robert Beric at +550. He has scored just once so far this season but the Slovenian international has a good scoring ratio in MLS at around a goal every other game.
Elsewhere, Gonzalo Higuain’s brother Federico Higuain could be one to watch at longer odds of +800. The attacking midfielder has spent nine years in MLS and was very productive in front of goal for his former club Columbus Crew.
In other popular prop markets, Both Teams to Score is on offer for Saturday’s match at industry best odds of just -183. Considering that Fire have scored three times this season and have failed to find the net in their last three games, we’ll avoid that for our betting predictions on this occasion.
Turning to the Total Goals betting and there are odds of around -165 to go Over the 2.5 line. Pushing that further takes those figures to a general +155. We’ve already seen that Chicago Fire have been shy in front of goal and Miami’s scoring stats also need improvement. Based on the combined scoring numbers it might be a day to go Under 2.5 goals at +120.
All that’s left are the Correct Score suggestions and we’re edging towards a low scoring draw here. A 1-1 final outcome is available at a general +600 and that should be a popular pick for Saturday’s tie. Alternatively, a 1-0 win for Inter Miami can be backed at a best of +1100 while the same outcome in favor of Chicago Fire is quoted at an average of around +900.
Our Preview’s Chicago Fire vs Inter Miami Predictions & Betting Picks Verdict
The moneyline market shows that a tight 90 minutes is in prospect and there will be a decent return here if we can make the right call. Chicago have been dismal so far this season but will this be the day that Wicky’s side gets three points on the board?
Inter Miami have been performing much better but they have yet to dominate and put together a winning run. Our feeling is that the sides will cancel each other out so we’ll start by picking the draw.
Scoring stats from the Chicago Fire camp in particular indicate that there may not be too many goals in this one. We suggested it could be a day to back Under the 2.5 line and we’ll follow through with that and make it our second pick.
In terms of individual scoring, the Higuain brothers are finding their feet in Miami and both will have an important role to play moving forward. Federico has great experience in MLS and was an effective scoring midfielder for Columbus Crew. He scored 59 times during his spell in Ohio and this Chicago Fire vs Inter Miami preview is backing him to find that kind of form and get on the scoresheet this Saturday. So these are the trio of predictions against the sports betting sites for Americans:
- The draw on the moneyline @ best odds of +270 with BetOnline.
- Federico Higuain to score at any time @ +240 with Intertops.
- Under 2.5 goals at +125 with Bovada or BetOnline.
Matt Harris is a golf and soccer expert for USA Betting. His other area of specialist knowledge is cricket. He is well known in sports journalism and contributes articles to a plethora of big-name websites and media outlets. Titles that he writes or has written for include: Betfair, BetVictor, Unibet & Just Bookies.